Not a battery or a supercap, but a ‘thin laminate energy device’

July 20, 2016 //
By Graham Prophet

Murata’s UMAL is a low-profile high capacity energy device. Designed to meet the demand for a slim high capacity energy source with a maintenance-free extended life cycle in wireless sensor nodes, the UMAL has charge/discharge and life-cycle characteristics superior to conventional secondary batteries.

The UMAL has a nominal voltage of 2.3 VDC, can supply 12 mAh with a maximum discharge current of 120 mA and is able to withstand load fluctuations. It has a low internal resistance of 200 mOhm and can operate over the temperature range of – 20C to + 70C.

The nominal charge voltage is 2.7 VDC and the UMAL is capable of fast charging / discharge. In particular the device’s high-rate discharge characteristics mean that a peak-assist capacitor is not required. It also has a charge capacity recovery rate of over 90% after 5,000 charge / discharge cycles. The UMAL measures 2.0 x 14.0 x 21.0 mm.

The device has a chemically stable composition that does not cause a fire or smoke hazard even if the output terminals are shorted. In addition to wireless sensor nodes, the UMAL is also suitable for use in wearable designs.